Obituary of Augustus John Mitchell III

Augustus “Gus” John Mitchell, III passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side in the comfort of his home in Boonton, NJ on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. He shared 88 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, priceless wisdom, and unforgettable memories with family and friends. 

Born at the end of a heat wave on July 13, 1937 in Newark, NJ to the late Elizabeth A. (McBarron) and Augustus J. Mitchell, Jr., Gus was the oldest of three children and a great big brother. The Mitchell family settled into their own home in Bloomfield, NJ when Gus was a preschooler. In the early 40’s, when his Dad joined the Marine Corps, they relocated to Los Angeles, CA for a couple of years. Upon returning home to NJ, the family found their forever home in Denville, NJ, when Gus was in middle school. He graduated from Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison, NJ, Class of 1955. Gus earned his BA in Economics from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA (‘59) and his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. He began his professional career with Bendix Corporation, working on the gyroscope used in the Polaris missile. As an Industrial Engineer, Gus next worked for Warner Chilcott and Warner-Lambert, in Morris Plains, NJ, then an 18 month stint with Bard Parker in Hancock, NY, before returning to Warner-Lambert in Morris Plains, NJ, in 1974. He remained there until he retired in 2000 after Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert. While Gus excelled at working hard, and enjoyed his career, he worked to support his family’s needs, but his true passion was his family and he treasured the time he spent with them.

Gus married the love of his life, and his best friend, Margaret “Peggy” Lucretia LeFebvre, on October 10, 1959. The couple eventually settled in Boonton, NJ before moving to Walton, NY, with seven children in tow and number eight on the way. When they returned to New Jersey in 1974, Gus and Peggy chose South Orange to raise their family. After 32 years in South Orange, they returned home to Boonton in 2006 as empty nesters. When they could they enjoyed trips to Maine, Hawaii, and their very own cabin in the woods in Pennsylvania. “The Cabin” soon became their favorite retreat, whether just the two of them or for family Thanksgiving and 4^th of July celebrations. At the heart of the family was the adoration Gus and Peggy had for each other. Gus was a true romantic, leaving poems and love notes throughout the house for Peggy to find. The kids joked that Mom and Dad were actually named Hon and Honey, never once hearing them call each other anything else!

Gus had a gentle and welcoming spirit, making him a favorite for his grandchildren. Gus loved to play, and he enjoyed the simple things. He knew the paper shredder he received as a Christmas gift one year meant everyone got to play “shred all the wrapping paper!” He was an expert at hiding the Easter baskets and it would sometimes take his kids hours to find them. He knew how to make the simple things fun and into lifetime memories for his kids and grandkids. He was always organized and everything had a place, and often a label, courtesy of his ever present label maker! He loved to create and build, frequently enlisting the children and grandkids in his projects, thus passing down his knowledge and skills to the next generation. Whenever his kids needed something, Dad could supply whatever was needed to get the job done. Gus enjoyed professional sports, and was an avid Yankees and Giants fan, but he loved watching his children and grandchildren play and coach for their schools’ teams. 

Gus’ spirit will live on in the hearts of his family; his beloved wife of 66 years, Margaret “Peggy” Mitchell; his loving children, Dennis Mitchell and his wife Maria; Deacon Stephen Mitchell and his wife Mary; Mark Mitchell and his wife Elizabeth “Liz”; Ann Tomaszeski and her husband Michael; Paul Mitchell and his wife Patricia “Tricia”;  Matthew Mitchell and his wife Kristen; Margaret “Meg” Mitchell; and Lucretia Koba and her husband Richard; his cherished grandchildren, Claire and her husband Tim, Colleen, Daniel, Peter and his wife Sammy Jo, Andrew, Anthony, Allison and her husband Joe, Brigid, John, Michael, Ellen, Joseph, Maureen, Raymond, Kaitlin, Sierra and her husband Brandon, Madison, Saige, Devin, Patrick, Connell, Shannon; his precious great-grandchildren, Madison, Eric, Lucy Jo, Leah, Nina, Tommy, and Ryder; and many more dear extended family and friends. We take comfort in knowing Gus is now reunited with his parents and his siblings, Thomas Mitchell and Mary Fish.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join with the family on Sunday, December 21^st from 1 – 5 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, December 22^nd at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. Burial will follow at Rockaway Valley Cemetery, 46 Valley Road, Boonton Twp. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Gus’s memory to the charity of your choice by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Family and friends are invited to light a candle, leave a condolence, or share a favorite memory of Gus at normandean.com.

**Those that are unable to attend Mass live, can watch it anytime through the St. Mary's YouTube Page, or by clicking here.**